UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

Faculty of Arts and Social Science

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods
Assessment Brief
UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods is 100% coursework-based. The assessment
components are as follows:

1. Individual Assessment 1 (Journal Review-20%)

2. Written Assessment (Research Proposal-40%)

3. Presentation (20%)

4. Practical-Test (20%)

LECTURER

PONG KOK SHIONG (M.A)

pongks@utar.edu.my

CHEAH PHAIK KIN (Ph.D)

cheahpk@utar.edu.my

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

1. Journal Review (20%): CLO1 (Cognitive)

CLO 1 Analyse the intricacies and demands of a research process.

Instruction:

You have to write two reviews in this assessment, Journal Review 1 and Journal Review 2. Choose
TWO (2) journal articles which are relevant to your research area, then read, analyze and
synthesize the content of the journal. The selected journal articles must be relevant to the
communication field i.e Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism. The journal article must be
published from 2012 & onwards. You need to identify and explain relevant ideas and supporting
details when analysing your journal articles. All references should follow APA referencing style.

You are required to submit your asssignment with the cover page (use the template below) and
attach the first page of the journal articles reviewed. You should also state the word count at the
end of the write-up.

10 marks will be deducted for each journal review, which exceeds the word limit specified.
No marks will be awarded if plagiarism is detected.

Submission Deadline:

Journal Review 1: Week 3 (01/02/2019), Friday, by 12noon

Journal Review 2: Week 6 (22/ 02/2019), Friday, by 12noon

Kindly submit your work to your respective tutor at their office.

LATE SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

Components Details
1. Cover page Kindly use the given cover page.
2. Journal Review Content The content should follow whatever that is required in
the marking scheme.
3. Format Work Format:
 Word Limit: 400-500 words (for each journal
review)
 Font type: Times New Roman
 Font size: 12
 Spacing: 2.0
 Staple your assignment on the top left corner. Do
not bind your assignment. Do not use plastic
cover, file, folder, or envelope.
 Use only white A4 paper.
4. Journal Attach the first page of the journal as appendix.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

MARKING RUBRIC
1 – 5 marks 6 -10 marks 11 – 15 marks 16 -20 marks

Background of Student provides Student provides a Student provides a Student provides an

the study little or no description of fair description of the good description of the excellent description
(20 %) the study, a brief statement study, a brief statement of study, a brief statement of
of the the of the problem, the study, a brief
problem, exposition of problem, exposition of exposition of statement of the
methods & procedures. methods & procedures. methods & problem, exposition
procedures. of
methods &
procedures.
1 – 10 marks 11 – 20 marks 21 – 30 marks 31 – 40 marks
Content of No attempt to evaluate Fair attempt at evaluation Rational evaluation Clearly articulated,
review study/ evaluative with some support for includes positive value well supported
(40 %) statements not shortcomings/ value of the of study & clearly statements of value
supported. study. supported explanation and/or shortcomings
of of study.
shortcomings.

Opinion not clear; Opinions stated, along
critical thinking is not with critical evaluation of
evident. the journal’s argument, but
some significant points are
overlooked.
1 – 5 marks 6 – 10 marks
Includes critical Includes critical
thinking that states the thinking that clearly
opinion & some states substantiated
evaluation of article’s opinion, thorough
arguments but evaluation of the
overlook journal’s points
some points.
11 – 15 marks 16 – 20 marks

Referencing The citations are not There are some formatting There are a few Citations are
(20 %) following APA format. errors or missing formatting errors. formatted correctly
information. Some citation accordingly to APA
information is missing. referencing system.

1 – 5 marks 6 -10 marks 11 – 15 marks 16 -20 marks

Language Very poor standard of Sufficient/ passable Good performanc-e in Very good in areas
(20 %) performance in areas of standard of performance in areas of spelling, of spelling,
spelling, punctuation, areas of spelling, punctuation, grammar, punctuation,
grammar, clarity of punctuation, grammar, clarity of writing and grammar, clarity of
writing and expression. clarity of writing and expression. writing and
expression. expression.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods

Journal Review 1 / 2 (10%)

Name:
Student ID:
Program:
Practical:
Tutor:

Criterion Score
Background of Study / 20

Content of review / 40

Referencing / 20

Language Conventions / 20

Total / 100
Convert to 10% /10

Comment(s)__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

2. Research Proposal (40%)

CLO 2 Apply methods and techniques commonly used in scientific research.

Instruction

You are required to write a research proposal on a communication related topic. The proposal
should contain 3 chpaters which are Chapter 1 Introduction, Chapter 2 Literature Review, and
Chapter 3 Methodology. The research proposal should at least contain:

i. Title
ii. Introduction – research background, research problem, research objectives, research questions,
research significance
iii. The literature
iv. Theory, hypotheses and theoretical/ conceptual framework
v. Methodology – research design, sample and sampling, data collection, data analysis.
vi. Ethical consideration
vii. References

The submission is by chapter on the stated dates. The template for the cover page is as provided.
Your overall report must then be submitted to Turnitin for originality check. You are required to
attach the first page of the Turnitin report as appendix in Chapter 3. Ensure that the similarity
percentage generated by Turnitin is lower than 20%. In the case that the similarity percentage is
more than what is permitted, half of the marks obtained will be deducted. See Appendix 2 for the
Sample of the Turnitin Originality Report.

Submission Deadline:
Chapter 1 (15%): Week 8 (8 Mar 2019), by 12noon.
Chapter 2 (15%): Week 11 (29 Mar 2019), by 12noon
Chapter 3 (10%): Week 13 (12 Apr 2019), by 12noon.
Kindly submit your work to your respective tutor at their office.
LATE SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
Proposal Format:

 Cover Page
 Length: 8 - 10 pages, excluding the cover page, content page, reference and appendix (if
any)
 Font type: Times New Roman
 Font size: 12
 Spacing: 2.0
 Staple your assignment on the top left corner. Do not bind your assignment. Do not use
plastic cover, file, folder, or envelope.
 Use only white A4 paper. Other types of paper will not be accepted.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods

Research Proposal (15%)

Chapter 1
Name:
Student ID:
Program:
Practical:
Tutor:

Criterion Score
Introduction /5
Problem Statement /5
Research questions and research objectives /5
Significance of the study /5
Writing /5
Referencing /5
Total / 30
Convert to 15% / 15%

Comment(s)__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

MARKING RUBRIC

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Introduction Operational Operational Operational Operational Operational
(5 marks) definitions of definitions of definitions of definitions of definitions of
technical terms, technical terms, relevant technical terms, technical terms,
jargon, or jargon, or technical terms, jargon, or jargon, or
concepts are not concepts are not jargon, or concepts are concepts are
all present and present, concepts uses relevant, present highly relevant,
irrelevant. incomplete or are provided. and addressed addressed
omit many of the clearly. clearly and
relevant comprehensively.
components.

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Problem Demonstrates no Demonstrates Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrates an
statement or little ability to little ability to fair ability good ability to excellent ability
(5 marks) describe describe describe describe to describe
research research research research research
problem. The problem. The problem. The problem. The problem. The
problem problem argument that argument that argument that
statement is statement is justifies the results from the results from the
confusing and unclear. research development of development of
unclear. problem is the research the research
clearly problem justifies problem is made
presented. the research clear and
problem. explicitly
justifies the
research
problem.

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Research Aims, objectives Aims and Aims and Aims and Aims and
objectives and or hypotheses/ objectives are objectives are objectives are objectives are
Research Research described in identified and well selected. concisely
questions (5 questions are broad terms mostly relevant Clearly relevant elaborated.
marks) missing or so only.Hypotheses to project. hypotheses or Original and
poorly written and research Relevant research highly relevant
meaning is questions hypotheses or questions are hypotheses or
unclear and not outlined but research determined and research
testable/ lacking in clarity questions mainly testable questions are
answerable (if or focus, only outlined, but /answerable (if clearly
appropriate). partly could be tighter appropriate). articulated and
testable/answera in their focus testable/answera
ble (if and testable/ ble (if
appropriate). answerable (if appropriate).
appropriate).

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Significance of Project is too Project Project is Project is Project is
the study simplistic or replicates well relevant and will justified and will original in its
(5 marks) disorganised to established consolidate consolidate approach and
offer any understanding in student’s understanding in will contribute
significance. discipline. understanding of discipline. to discipline
Significance is discipline. Significance development.
stated but does Significance emerges from Significance
not emerge from does not emerge construction of emerges
argument. easily in argument in logically from
argument but it addition to being construction of
is evident in articulated. argument in
addition to being addition to being
outlined. clearly
articulated.
1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks
Writing Paper contains Paper contains a Writing is Rules of Rules of
(5 marks ) numerous few minor mechanically grammar usage grammar usage
grammar, grammar, correct. Uses and punctuation and punctuation
punctuation or punctuation or professional and are followed. are perfectly
spelling. Errors, spelling. other Language is followed.
inappropriate or Limited variety vocabulary/ professional and Language is
non-use of in vocabulary/ word choice scholarly. professional and
professional word Language appropriately. Vocabulary/ scholarly.
vocabulary/word lacks clarity or Sentences are word choice and Vocabulary/
choice. uses a somewhat sentence word choice is
Language is not conversational understandable. structure are creative and
professional. tone. Sentences adequate. extends beyond
Sentences are are unclear and Sentences are basic meaning.
unintelligible. redundant clear and Sentences vary
understandable. in their structure
and clearly
understandable.
1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks
Referencing Little or no There is There is basic There is There is
(5 marks ) evidence of all relatively low evidence of relatively extensive and
sources used. evidence of research and extensive comprehensive
Poor or limited research and sources are evidence of evidence of
sources with sources appropriately research and research and
incomplete appropriately used. Sources sources used. sources used.
references and used. Only few are suitably There is great All sources are
inaccurate sources are paraphrased in number of suitably
details. Major suitably the proposal. sources suitably paraphrased in
errors are paraphrased in Basic paraphrased in the proposal.
present in the the proposal. documentation the proposal. Excellent listing
APA format. Satisfactory of sources used Good listing of of all sources
listing of all in references. all sources used used in
sources used in Citations and in references. references.
references. references Citations and Demonstrate a
Errors in any follow the APA references solid
element of the format. strictly follow understanding of
APA the APA format. APA format and
requirements for style.
a paper.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods

Research Proposal (15%)

Chapter 2
Name:
Student ID:
Program:
Practical:
Tutor:

Criterion Score
Literature Review / 15
Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework /5
Writing /5
Referencing /5
Total / 30
Convert to 15% / 15%

Comment(s)__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

MARKING RUBRIC
1-3 marks 4- 6 marks 7 - 9 marks 10 - 12 marks 13- 15 marks
Literature The quality of the Points are supported Good range of Well argued and Creative and highly
Review literature referred to with relevant literature examined logical literature organised literature
(15 marks) is questionable or literature, but scope throughout review that provides review that outlines
not relevant to the of literature review is presentation that is a good overview of the background and
project’s limited. Some key mostly relevant to the background and context for the
background or studies not referred to the project’s context for the research project.
context. Few key at all or only inferred. background and research project. Critical reading of
studies referred to. context. Key Evaluation of key the key literature
studies contrasted literature quite clearly evident
but little evidence evident throughout. throughout.
of evaluation.

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Theoretical/ Theoretical/ Theoretical/ Theoretical/ Theoretical/ Theoretical/
Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual Conceptual
Framework (5 framework is vague framework is poorly framework is framework is clearly framework is
marks) and reviewed described and briefly described described and thoroughly described
irrelevantly. reviewed. and reviewed. reviewed and reviewed
appropriately. critically.
1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks
Writing Paper contains Paper contains a few Writing is Rules of grammar Rules of grammar
(5 marks) numerous grammar, minor grammar, mechanically usage and usage and
punctuation or punctuation or correct. Uses punctuation are punctuation are
spelling. Errors, spelling. Limited professional and followed. Language perfectly followed.
inappropriate or variety in other vocabulary/ is professional and Language is
non-use of vocabulary/word. word choice scholarly. professional and
professional Language lacks appropriately. Vocabulary/word scholarly.
vocabulary/word clarity or uses a Sentences are choice and sentence Vocabulary/word
choice. Language is conversational tone. somewhat structure are choice is creative and
not professional. Sentences are unclear understandable. adequate. Sentences extends beyond basic
Sentences are and redundant. are clear and meaning. Sentences
unintelligible. understandable. vary in their structure
and clearly
understandable.

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Referencing Little or no evidence There is relatively There is basic There is relatively There is extensive
(5 marks) of all sources used. low evidence of evidence of extensive evidence of and comprehensive
Poor or limited research and sources research and research and sources evidence of research
sources with appropriately used. sources are used. There is great and sources used. All
incomplete Only few sources are appropriately used. number of sources sources are suitably
references and suitably paraphrased Sources are suitably paraphrased paraphrased in the
inaccurate details. in the proposal. suitably in the proposal. Good proposal. Excellent
Major errors are Satisfactory listing of paraphrased in the listing of all sources listing of all sources
present in the APA all sources used in proposal. Basic used in references. used in references.
format. references. Errors in documentation of Citations and Demonstrate a solid
any element of the sources used in references strictly understanding of
APA requirements references. follow the APA APA format and
for a paper. Citations and format. style.
references follow
the APA format.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods

Research Proposal (10%)

Chapter 3
Name:
Student ID:
Program:
Practical:
Tutor:

Criterion Score
Methodology / 20
Writing /5
Referencing /5
Total / 30
Convert to 10% / 10%

Comment(s)__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

MARKING RUBRIC

1- 4 marks 5 - 8 marks 9 - 12 marks 13- 16 marks 17- 20 marks

Methodology Methodology is Missing explanation Poor explanation Methodology’s Methodology’s
inappropriate/ of of the suitability is suitability is
(20 marks) poorly the methodology’s methodology’s justified wellexplained
developed. suitability. suitability & articulated. &articulated
No description of Incomplete & Accurate but Adequate Accurate &
data inaccurate incomplete description comprehensive
collection & description description of data collection & description of data
analysis. of data collection & of data collection analysis. collection &
analysis. & analysis
analysis.
Description of Some description of Description of Clear & Comprehensive &
participant, participant, participant, appropriate detailed description
material, material, material, description of of
instrument, instrument, instrument, participant, participant,
procedure procedure procedure material, material,
& analyses are & analyses are & analyses are instrument, instrument,
absent. missing. questionable & procedure procedure
not & analyses. & analyses.
answer the RQs.
1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks
Writing Paper contains Paper contains a Writing is Rules of grammar Rules of grammar
(5 marks) numerous grammar, few minor mechanically usage and usage and
punctuation or grammar, correct. Uses punctuation are punctuation are
spelling. Errors, punctuation or professional and followed. perfectly followed.
inappropriate or spelling. Limited other vocabulary/ Language is Language is
non-use of variety in word choice professional and professional and
professional vocabulary/word. appropriately. scholarly. scholarly.
vocabulary/word Language lacks Sentences are Vocabulary/word Vocabulary/word
choice. Language is clarity or uses a somewhat choice and choice is creative
not professional. conversational tone. understandable. sentence structure and extends beyond
Sentences are Sentences are are adequate. basic meaning.
unintelligible. unclear and Sentences are clear Sentences vary in
redundant. and their structure and
understandable. clearly
understandable.

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks

Referencing Little or no There is relatively There is basic There is relatively There is extensive
(5 marks) evidence of all low evidence of evidence of extensive evidence and comprehensive
sources used. Poor research and research and of research and evidence of
or limited sources sources sources are sources used. There research and
with incomplete appropriately used. appropriately is great number of sources used. All
references and Only few sources used. Sources are sources suitably sources are suitably
inaccurate details. are suitably suitably paraphrased in the paraphrased in the
Major errors are paraphrased in the paraphrased in the proposal. Good proposal. Excellent
present in the APA proposal. proposal. Basic listing of all listing of all
format. Satisfactory listing documentation of sources used in sources used in
of all sources used sources used in references. references.
in references. Errors references. Citations and Demonstrate a
in any element of Citations and references strictly solid understanding
the APA references follow follow the APA of APA format and
requirements for a the APA format. format. style.
paper.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

Appendix 2: Sample of Turnitin Originality Report

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

3. Presentation (20%)

CLO 2 Apply methods and techniques commonly used in scientific research.

Instruction:

You are required to present your research proposal. The poster presentation shall commence in
Week 13 & 14. You need to submit your poster in A4 size during presentation. The format of the
poster will be uploaded in WBLE 2.

NO MARK WILL BE AWARDED TO ABSENTEES.

The details of the poster presentation as below:

Duration Individual Presentation: 5minutes

• Question and Answer Session : 5 minutes
• Overall Duration: 10 Minutes

Question & Answer Session You will be asked from any parts of the research
proposal i.e problem statement, research
objectives, research questions, research
significance, literature review, theoretical
framework, and methodology in conducting
research.
Attire Formal

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

UAMG 2004 Communication Research Methods

Poster Presentation (20%)

Name:
Student ID:
Program:
Practical:
Tutor:

1-5 marks 6 -10 marks 11 - 15 marks 16 – 20 marks

Content Presenter did not convey
(20%) development of
argument, ideas, or point
of research.
No supporting points
relate to research topic.
Score
1 mark
Delivery Presenter did not connect
(4%) with the audience and
speaking volume was
monotone or audience
was unable to hear, no eye
contact, poor posture.
Development and support
of ideas/ argument was
difficult to follow and
understand.
Either points did not
sufficiently relate to topic
or presenter got off topic.
2 marks
Adequate connection
with the audience, but
with some issues
(speaking volume was
inconsistent or monotone,
poor posture, etc.)
Sufficient development
and support of
ideas/argument.
Most topic points shared
were understood.
3 marks
Presenter connected with
the audience and mostly
had good posture and eye
contact, in a volume that
could be heard by most of
the audience.
Strong material. Clear
development and support
of ideas/argument.
Presenter clearly shared
supporting points that
appear to be accurate.
4 marks
Presenter was poised,
dynamic, confident, and
established rapport with
the audience in a speaking
volume loud enough to be
heard by all

Score
1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks
Poster Not visually effective. Poster was acceptable but Poster was adequate but Visually appealing and
Appearance/ needs could improve strongly effective
Clarity work to improve visual effectiveness through presentation. Easy to
(4 marks) appeal through better better use of space read. Utilized
utilization of fonts, through font creativity in use of fonts,
colors, headings, and size, colors, headings, and headings, colors, and
white space. white white space
space.
Score
1- 3 marks 4 -6 marks 7 - 9 marks 10 - 12 marks
Ability to answer Does not have grasp of Is uncomfortable with Is at ease with expected Demonstrates full
questions research and cannot questions and only able to answers to all questions knowledge by answering
(12 marks) answer questions about answer rudimentary however lacking of detail all questions with
the research. questions. elaboration. explanation and excellent
elaborations.
Score
TOTAL / 40
Convert to 20% / 20

Comment(s)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019

 UAMG 2004 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS
4. Practical Test (20%)

CLO 3 Analyze quantitative and qualitative data in the context of

communication research.

For this assessment, students will be given a set of questionnaire with both closed and open-ended
questions to collect data. In Week 10, they need to key-in their data during practical session. The
data collected will be used for practical test in Week 12.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Assessment Deadlines

Journal Review 1 Week 3, 1 Feb 2019, by 12noon.

Journal Review 2 Week 6, 22 Feb 2019, by 12noon.

Research Proposal Week 8, 8 Mar 2019, by 12noon.

Chapter 1

Research Proposal Week 11, 29 Mar 2019, by 12noon

Chapter 2

Research Proposal Week 13, 12 Apr 2019, by 12noon.

Chapter 3

Presentation Week 13 and 14 during practical.

Practical Test Both qualitative and quantitative tests will take place in Week 12
during practical.

UAMG 2004 Communication Rsearch Methods Assessment Brief Jan 2019